Ex-Harrison housing director's records subpoenaed HARRISON (AP) — Harrison police have taken records of the city's former housing authority director. The Harrison Daily Times reported current Housing Authority Director Chonda Tapley told the authority's board that police served a search warrant at the agency's office on Thursday for records of former director Derek White. Police Chief Paul Woodruff said the warrant is part of an investigation into a reported theft from the agency. Both Woodru...

Dardanelle honors one board decision, questions anotherDARDANELLE — The Dardanelle City Council recognized former Planning Commissioner Kent Tallent for 20 years of service during its meeting Monday. Mayor Carolyn McGee presented Tallent with a plaque and thanked him for his service. "The commissioners and I saw the new codes come into effect," Tallent said. "I'd like to thank those on the commission who served with me and who made Dardanelle better than what it was when we started 20 years ago." ...

Russellville couple involved in rape investigationA Russellville man and his fiancee were order held in lieu of a combined $135,000 bond in connection with a September sexual assault. Martin Standridge, 27, could face a rape charge, while Violet Abel, 27, could face a charge of hindering apprehension. On Nov. 17, the Pope County Sheriff's Office received a report accusing Standridge of raping a 14-year old girl at his home on Sept. 1, an officer testified. Officers reportedly arrested Standri...

Bond hearings (Dec. 6)The following individuals appeared during felony bond hearings Friday at the Pope County Detention Center. Their names, ages, anticipated charges and bond amounts are listed. If charged, they will appear Jan. 12 in Circuit Court. • Annette Cisneroz, 43, three counts of fraudulent use of a credit card and three counts of theft — $10,000. A Russellville Police Department officer testified that on Nov. 24-26, Cisneroz allegedly stole three wallet...

Dardanelle Envirothon wins stateDARDANELLE — Academic awards abound at Dardanelle High School, where a five-student team recently brought home a first-place finish in the Arkansas Envirothon State Contest. Students Woodrow Ramey, Erin Hall, Tyler Corbin, Cherokee Dulie and Drew Bailey represented Dardanelle in the competition on Nov. 23-24 in Conway. The team won by 30 points over Haas Hall High School and 14 other district-winning teams. Science teacher Jeff Woods prepared ...

Report says Arkansas lottery hampered by mistrust LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas' lottery offers too many games, pays more to its vendors than comparable states and suffers from mistrust from the public dating back to its launch five years ago, a consultant hired to review the games told lawmakers on Friday. Camelot Global Services, the firm legislators hired to review the lottery and recommend ways to boost its lagging sales, said the lottery can make changes that would increase its annual sale...

Beebe formally announces intent to pardon son LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Outgoing Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe took the first official step Friday toward pardoning his son for a felony marijuana conviction 11 years ago, a move he's defended as no different from the second chance he has given other offenders. The two-term Democratic governor formally announced his intent to pardon his 34-year-old son Kyle, who was convicted in 2003 of marijuana possession with intent to deliver. The move kicks off a 3...

Farm Bureau re-elects Veach as president HOT SPRINGS (AP) — Arkansas Farm Bureau members have re-elected Randy Veach as president and Rich Hillman as vice president. Members also re-elected five board members and selected two new board members on Friday, the final day of the organization's annual convention in Hot Springs. Veach is a cotton, soybean, rice, wheat, corn and milo farmer near Manila and will begin a seventh term as president of the state Farm Bureau. Hillman is from Carl...

Arkansas to get $60,000 in Sirius XM settlement LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas will receive $60,178 from Sirius XM Radio Inc. in a national settlement to resolve complaints about misleading advertising and billing practices. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel says Arkansas customers who haven't filed a complaint have 150 days to file one to be considered for restitution. Sirius XM agreed to pay a total of $3.8 million to 45 states and the District of Columbia. The restitution to consumers covers...

Sedgwick woman pleads guilty to murder charge JONESBORO (AP) — A Sedgwick woman has been sentenced to 37 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in the stabbing death of a man in Craighead County. The Jonesboro Sun reported Elizabeth McKnatt, 26, entered the plea Thursday as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. McKnatt and 23-year-old David Ferguson of Sedgwick were charged in the Jan. 20 stabbing death of Silva Joe Fry at Fry's home in Egypt. McKnatt said outsi...

City to 'pause' alliance fundingFinance Director Jerry McKaughan will temporarily zero out $1.61 million of expenses in the preliminary 2015 Economic Development budget after meeting with city officials Friday. Of the proposed $2.03 million for 2015, only $415,000 for Main Street Russellville and $5,000 for miscellaneous expenses were left intact. The rest of the budget, including $90,000 for the Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development (AVAED), was suspended pendin...

Junior Auxiliary announces 2015 charity ballJunior Auxiliary of Russellville has announced its 2015 Children's Benefit Ball will take place Feb. 28 at the L.V. Williamson Boys and Girls Club. The theme for the 2015 ball is “Cirque Gala.” Junior Auxiliary is a national nonprofit organization that represents an endeavor on the part of women to be active and constructive community participants and to render charitable services that are beneficial to the general public, with a particular em...

Overcoming the overwhelming“… From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I…” Psalm 61:2 Have you ever felt besieged by the storms and tests of life? Inundated with problems? Often times leaving one feeling helpless and overwhelmed. There are so many factors in everyday survival that add layers of stress and pressure to our lives. Financial pressures, sickness, family problems, unemployment, loss ...

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Pastor William Flynn / Grace Chapel Pentecostal ChurchThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Discipleship at ChristmasI was alerted as a child that Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. However, relatively little attention was given to this. Instead, our focus was largely on presents, and the festive meal we enjoyed together. We were not a church attending family. It was not until I decided to follow Jesus, while serving in the military during World War II, that I associated Christmas with discipleship. As of now, they are inseparable. The pattern was set ...

Church briefs (Dec. 5, 2014)The Crossing fundraiser concert tonight A fundraising concert will be held from 7:30-9 p.m. toiday at The Crossing, located at 303 W. C St. in Russellville. The evening will feature Wayne Drain, Mark Gotcher, David Eslick, Noel and Tricia Richards, Tim and Carter Drain, Jason Jones and Allie Smith. All proceeds will go to The Crossing. For more information, call (479) 567-5650. St. John’s Lutheran hosts Nativity Tour St. John’s Lutheran Church...

Dardanelle to close streets for paradeDARDANELLE — The Dardanelle City Council approved closing several streets for the upcoming Christmas parade during its meeting Monday. Because the Sand Lizards will host the Warren Fightin' Lumberjacks for the semi-final round of the Class 4A state playoffs on Friday at Keenan Field, the annual Christmas parade has been rescheduled from Friday to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Dardanelle Police Chief Montie Sims said the parade will follow a new route....

Obituary: Robert WoodyATKINS — Rev. Robert Emery Woody, 85, went to be with his Lord on Dec. 3, 2014, at the Atkins Care Center. He was born May 16, 1929, in Sheldon, Mo., to Emery A. and Clydia E. Wilson Woody. He graduated from Sheldon High School in 1947, Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Okla., in 1958, Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas, and courses of study graduated in 1974. He was licensed to preach Dec. 1, 1953, at the First Church of the N...

Obituary: Ron BrannonATKINS — Ron Brannon, 65, passed away Dec. 3, 2014, at his home. He was born Nov. 16, 1949, in Harrisburg to Leo and Gladys Brannon. He was a retired member of Locals 155 and 572 Pipe Fitter Union. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Gerald Brannon and Tim Brannon. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Bert ( Bea) Brannon of Atkins; sons, Chris Brannon and wife Kimberly of Atkins, Glen Brannon of Atkins; three grandchi...

Obituary: Ray AppleDANVILLE — Rev. Jennings Ray Apple, 89, of Russellville passed away Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, at Brook Ridge Cove Rehabilitation and Care Center in Morrilton. He was born Feb. 18, 1925, at Havana to the late Ozzo and Mamie Estelle Jennings Apple. He was a World War II Army veteran and served as a minister with the Arkansas Assembly of God for over 50 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Kent Apple and Wayne Apple; and one s...